Some bystanders complained after co-host Matt LeBlanc and a professional driver were seen performing "doughnuts" in the street nearby. Col. Richard Kemp, a retired army officer, called the stunt "gravely disrespectful."

The BBC said photos made the car appear closer to the monument than it really was, but Evans said he understood why some people were angry.

He said Monday that "on behalf of the Top Gear team and Matt, I would like to apologize unreservedly for what these images seem to portray."